Thank you very much for your comments, and accrued knowledge. I still am a little concerned about the drypacking. Is that to reduce the chance of uneven bearing points under the wall? I made the piers a little larger on the inside just to reduce the chance of lateral pressure pushing the piers...
I would like to request PEinc's opinion on this crazy little underpin project I started. After ready some really interesting posts on this subject, I have failed to come across my question in the matter. I am lowering the floor about 14" in my 54x54 1864 2 story Italianate building in Michigan...